Should Washington Huskies Target Missouri Guard Transfers?
By Bret Stuter
As Missouri guards K.J.Walton and Frankie Hughes make room for new recruits on team, does this create opportunity for Washington Huskies to expand recruiting to former Missouri players?
The University of Washington Huskies Men’s Basketball team is learning that the door swings both ways in the NCAA. Until now, the door has swung outwards. The team’s once lauded 2017 recruiting class has dwindled down from five to one players.
In fact, shooting guard K.J. Walton brings a mixed bag of expertise. For a shooting guard, his perimeter shot is in dire need of some work.
For the season he shot just 27 percent from the perimeter, 35 percent from the floor, and 57 percent from the foul line. That all totaled to an average of 7.6 points per game.
RELATED STORY: Washington Huskies Fill Final Coaching Position, Dave Rice Hired
Per FanSided’s Missouri website, Walton is a popular if sporadic player. If the team has any interest, he is fairly easy to contact now.
Colleges interested in @Kj_Walton1 feel free to contact him, Coach Lynch at Brownsburg or DM this account.
— Jim Reamer 🏴☠️ (@JWReamer) April 4, 2017
More from The Husky Haul
- Pro Husky Shaq Thompson out for season with leg injury
- Washington Huskies begin conference play against Cal in Week 4
- Jack Westover is a breakout star for the Washington Huskies
- Washington football: Negatives and Positives in win over Michigan State
- Huskies offense slices through the Spartans in 41-7 win
Don’t Forget Frankie Hughes
His teammate, guard Frankie Hughes, is another transfer opportunity. Per a RockMNation.com article by Sam Snelling, Frankie Hughes has all of the pieces to being a standout guard in NCAA Men’s basketball. He simply needs to improve his focus.
For the season, he also scored 7.6 points per game on 56.6 percent on free throws, 29.6 percent from the floor, and 26.8 percent from three-point range. His pattern is running extremes. Hot then cold then hot then cold.
Of the two, Hughes seems more apt to benefit from a change of scenery to Washington. But the Huskies can make quick use of both. In the transition from former head coach Lorenzo Romar to new head coach Mike Hopkins, the team has seen several very talented players walk away. One of whom, Michael Porter Jr., will play for the Missouri Tigers.
RELATED STORY: Washington Huskies PG Markelle Fultz Visit Sets Philadelphia 76ers Fans Abuzz
The University of Washington Huskies hope to land former Seattle’s guard Nate Pryor. But the program needs more players, and a plan B doesn’t hurt. Coaches can only work with the players they have. The Washington Huskies need NCAA players. It’s time to recruit, Coach Hopkins.